Translation guide
The English word 'rain' refers to water falling from clouds. In Japanese, the most common word is 雨 (あめ), but there are many specific terms for types of rain, intensity, and related expressions. This guide covers how to talk about rain naturally in Japanese.
Referring to rain as a weather phenomenon or the substance itself.
The standard word for rain. Used in most contexts.
今日は雨が降っています。
It's raining today.
雨がやんだ。
The rain has stopped.
Formal or technical term for rainfall, often used in weather forecasts.
明日は降雨が予想されます。
Rainfall is expected tomorrow.
Describing very light rain or mist-like precipitation.
Describing intense, heavy rain.
Heavy rain. Standard term.
大雨で電車が止まった。
The trains stopped due to heavy rain.
Torrential rain, downpour. Often used in news for severe weather.
Colloquial term for a heavy downpour; literally 'earth and sand falling'.
Referring to rain that starts or stops suddenly, often short-lived.
Sudden shower, brief rain. Common in weather forecasts.
午後はにわか雨があるでしょう。
There will be occasional showers in the afternoon.
Sudden evening shower, typical in summer.
Referring to a period of continuous rain, especially the East Asian rainy season.
Talking about how much it rains or the strength of rain.
Amount of precipitation. Used in weather reports.
今日の降水量は100ミリを超えた。
Today's rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters.
Describes the force of falling rain; 'the rain is falling heavily'.
雨足が強くなってきた。
The rain is coming down harder.
Common actions and states related to rain.
Basic verb phrase: 'rain falls' = it rains.
雨が降りそうだ。
It looks like it's going to rain.
Passive form expressing being caught in the rain, often with a nuance of inconvenience.
出かけたら雨に降られた。
I went out and got rained on.
To take shelter from the rain.
コンビニで雨宿りした。
I took shelter from the rain at a convenience store.
Using 'rain' in non-literal ways, such as in idioms or poetic expressions.
Idiom: 'like bamboo shoots after rain', meaning things appearing in quick succession.
新しいカフェが雨後の筍のようにできている。
New cafes are popping up like mushrooms after rain.
While 雨です means 'It is rain', it's not the natural way to say 'It's raining'. Use 雨が降っています instead.
大雨 is the general term for heavy rain. 豪雨 implies extremely heavy, often disaster-level rain, and is common in news reports.
明日雨が降らないといいな。
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
雨が強くなった。
The rain got stronger.
霧雨が街を包んでいる。
A fine drizzle envelops the town.
Flooding occurred due to torrential rain.
外は土砂降りだよ。
It's pouring outside.
夕立に遭ってびしょ濡れになった。
I got caught in a sudden evening shower and got soaked.
長雨で洗濯物が乾かない。
The laundry won't dry because of the long rain.